Article
Plant Sciences
Ruirui Yan, Tianqi Yu, Hongmei Liu, Shijie Lv, Baorui Chen, Yanling Wu, Guoping Que, Zhijun Wei, Lijun Xu, Xiaoyu Zhu, Guixia Yang, Xiaoping Xin
Summary: This study compared the effects of different grassland utilization methods on soil seed banks and found that grazing and enclosure increased seed bank content, while mowing reduced it. Grazing had the greatest impact on the density of perennial grass seed banks, while mowing mainly affected the seed bank of upper growth grasses.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yunpeng Zhao, Guozhen Du, Wei Qi, Hang An, Lipei Wang, Shuaiwei Luo, Beibei Ma, Miaojun Ma
Summary: The transition from arid grassland to shrubland ecosystem is not caused by changes in the seed bank composition, but by the inhibition of the seed bank's restorability to aboveground vegetation. The similarity between aboveground vegetation and seed bank decreases significantly when soil moisture crosses the critical threshold. Future studies on changes in vegetation composition and species diversity with ecosystem transitions should consider the belowground seed bank.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Ma, Yunhua Lu, I-Hsuan Ho, Sheng Li, Wenbo Yang, Changdan Wang
Summary: This paper mainly investigates the effects of different load reduction methods on the soil arching effect (SAE) of deeply buried structures (such as high-filled cut-and-cover tunnels) under seismic loads. Parametric studies show that the SAE is significantly related to the height and thickness of the soil arching zone, which in turn affects the soil pressure distribution. The results suggest that the combination of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and concrete wedges is an effective method to reduce both vertical and lateral soil pressure and resist seismic loads.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jan Plue, Hans Van Calster, Inger Auestad, Sofia Basto, Renee M. Bekker, Hans Henrik Bruun, Richard Chevalier, Guillaume Decocq, Ulf Grandin, Martin Hermy, Hans Jacquemyn, Anna Jakobsson, Malgorzata Jankowska-Blaszczuk, Rein Kalamees, Marcus A. Koch, Rob H. Marrs, Bryndis Marteinsdottir, Per Milberg, Inger E. Maren, Robin J. Pakeman, Gareth K. Phoenix, Ken Thompson, Vigdis Vandvik, Markus Wagner, Alistair G. Auffret
Summary: This study investigates the potential role of soil seed banks in different habitats in Europe and finds that high seed bank diversity and compositional similarity with the herb layer may act as a functional buffer against the impact of global environmental changes on plant communities. However, climate warming could threaten this capacity. Dormant life-history stages can be important sources of diversity in changing environments, but their ability to buffer change may only be temporary.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Tereza Maskova, Shyam S. Phartyal, Mehdi Abedi, Maik Bartelheimer, Peter Poschlod
Summary: This study monitored the long-term effects of moisture and substrate on seed persistence. The results showed that moisture levels were the main driver for seed persistence, and different species had different seed viability in the soil. The classification of soil seed bank type should consider both environmental factors and seed germination traits.
Article
Biology
Xiao-Qi Jiang, Xiao Yang, Bao-Rong Lu
Summary: The study highlights the increased survival and longevity of herbicide-resistant transgenic rice hybrid seeds in soil seed banks, potentially leading to unwanted environmental impacts. Increased seed dormancy and growth hormone levels may contribute to the enhanced fitness of the transgenic seeds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Diego Batlla, Cristian Malavert, Rocio Belen Fernandez Farnocchia, Steven Footitt, Roberto Luis Benech-Arnold, William E. Finch-Savage
Summary: A model that simulates seasonal dormancy changes in buried Arabidopsis thaliana seeds can accurately predict germination in a realistic global warming scenario by analyzing changes in the thermal range permissive for germination. The study reveals the importance of understanding how the environment regulates seed-bank dormancy changes for predicting seedling emergence and interpreting dormancy mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xin Li, George Kouretzis, Klaus Thoeni
Summary: This paper presents a numerical methodology for efficient modeling of kinematic granular soil-pipe interaction at large deformations using the Discrete Element Method. The methodology is validated through standard tests and blind predictions, providing insights into the reaction and flow-around failure mechanism of deeply buried pipes.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
F. J. White, A. Ensslin, S. Godefroid, A. Faruk, T. Abeli, G. Rossi, A. Mondoni
Summary: Billions of seeds from wild species are stored in seed banks worldwide. Use of these seeds for plant translocation faces obstacles such as funding and resource limitations. A survey of 104 seed banks in 34 countries found that over 70% had used their collections for translocations, but only 11 had no constraints. Lack of funding and resources limit the full potential for translocation activities.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cristian Malavert, Diego Batlla, Roberto L. Benech-Arnold
Summary: Seedling emergence in the field is strongly related to the dynamics of dormancy release and induction of the seed bank, mainly regulated by soil temperature. However, the effect of seed water content (SWC) on dormancy changes and the interaction between SWC and temperature are important factors to consider. In humid temperate habitats, eventual water shortages during late winter or spring may affect soil temperature effects on seed dormancy and reduce emergence size.
FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Zong Zhao, Yong Liu, Hongyan Jia, Wensheng Sun, Angang Ming, Shengjiang Pang, Ning An, Jihui Zhang, Chuang Tang, Shitao Dong
Summary: The study revealed that the environmental conditions of the semi-sunny slope were most suitable for the seed germination and seedling growth of Castanopsis hystrix, promoting the regeneration and restoration of its population.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yao Zhao, Meng Li, Jiayong Deng, Baitian Wang
Summary: Research has shown significant differences in the understory vegetation and soil seed banks among rehabilitation areas with different vegetation types. The effects of plantations are better than naturally restored abandoned farmland, and the choice of tree species is crucial for vegetation recovery.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Fengwen Lai, Ningning Zhang, Songyu Liu, Yanxiao Sun, Yaoliang Li
Summary: This paper presents a simple kinematic mechanical model for assessing ground movements induced by the installation of large diameter deeply-buried caissons, providing a practical approach for incorporation into commercial finite-element programs. Through a case study in Zhenjiang, China, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to capture ground movements and validate the accuracy of the model. Synchronous installation is identified as the optimal scheme for limiting ground movements.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Faucher, Seraphine Grellier, Clemence Chaudron, Jean-Louis Janeau, Gabrielle Rudi, Fabrice Vinatier
Summary: The Mediterranean region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events and severe droughts due to climate change, leading to an increase in runoff and erosion rates in agrosystems. Vegetation cover can help reduce erosion and the soil seed bank can provide cost-effective vegetation. This study assessed the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss in vineyards and evaluated the differences in the soil seed bank along a transect. The results suggest that vegetation may not protect interrows from runoff-induced seed loss.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Paul-Camilo Zalamea, Carolina Sarmiento, A. Elizabeth Arnold, Venus Kuo, Carolyn Delevich, Adam S. Davis, Thomas A. Brown, James W. Dalling
Summary: Pioneer tree species can survive in the soil seed bank for multiple decades, and the factors that contribute to their viability, such as resistance to fungal infections and maintenance of seed dormancy and coat integrity, remain unclear. This study highlights the importance of seed-microbial interactions in the long-term persistence of seeds in the soil seed bank.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert Galle, Csaba Tolgyesi, Attila Torma, Zoltan Batori, Gabor Lorinczi, Peter Szilassi, Nikolett Galle-Szpisjak, Hardeep Kaur, Timea Makra, Gabor Modra, Peter Batary
Summary: The quality of the surrounding landscape matrix often determines the biodiversity pattern of natural habitat fragments. Variation in species composition among fragments can be affected by matrix quality. The study focuses on forest steppe fragments in Central Europe to reveal the effects of fragment size and matrix quality. The findings suggest that improving matrix quality would help preserve threatened forest steppe biota.
PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laszlo Erdos, Akos Bede-Fazekas, Zoltan Batori, Christian Berg, Gyorgy Kroel-Dulay, Martin Magnes, Philipp Sengl, Csaba Tolgyesi, Peter Torok, Jack Zinnen
Summary: This article investigates the relationship between naturalness and hemeroby indicator values and whether they reflect similar functional patterns. The study reveals an inverse correlation between naturalness and hemeroby values. Leaf traits show mirror image patterns between the two systems but with weak relationships.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Orsolya Valko, Zoltan Radai, Balazs Deak
Summary: As we enter the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, finding nature based solutions for grassland restoration is becoming increasingly important. Besides seed sowing, hay transfer is a viable alternative method that introduces target species and suppresses weeds. A six-year monitoring in a former cropland in Hungary showed that hay transfer can successfully establish a species-rich grassland, with small-seeded species having an establishment advantage in the early years after restoration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eniko Meszaros, Attila Bodor, Adam Szierer, Etelka Kovacs, Katalin Perei, Csaba Tolgyesi, Zoltan Batori, Gabor Feigl
Summary: Personal protective equipment, especially disposable masks, used during the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily burdened the environment and can affect plant growth. Further research is urgently needed to understand the effects of plastic pollution on plant-soil interactions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Laszlo Erdos, Khanh Vu Ho, Zoltan Batori, Gyorgy Kroel-Dulay, Gabor Onodi, Csaba Tolgyesi, Peter Torok, Attila Lengyel
Summary: Ecosystems with forest and grassland patches as alternative stable states contain various habitats aligned along a vegetation cover gradient, showing different patterns of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. Taxonomic diversity peaks in the middle of the gradient, functional diversity is high in woody habitats but lower in grassland, and phylogenetic diversity varies depending on the evolutionary age of the habitats. The community assembly in grasslands may be dominated by environmental filtering, while competition may be decisive in woody habitats.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bartosz Baran, Michal Krzyzowski, Zoltan Radai, Jacek Francikowski, Mateusz Hohol
Summary: Research shows that crickets can effectively learn to find specific locations through layout symmetry. They use heuristic and directed strategies to approach the target, but perform poorly in asymmetric arenas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoltan Batori, Orsolya Valko, Andras Vojtko, Csaba Tolgyesi, Tuende Farkas, Kata Frei, Alida Anna Habenczyus, Agnes Toth, Gabor Li, Zoltan Radai, Sandor Dulai, Karoly Barta, Laszlo Erdos, Balazs Deak
Summary: Karst landscapes, specifically dolines, can function as local biodiversity hotspots due to their unique topography, microclimatic variables, and soil properties. These dolines contribute to the overall heterogeneity of karst landscapes and play a crucial role in maintaining rare or absent species. Conservation efforts should focus on preserving the diversity of microhabitats in dolines to protect species vulnerable to climate change and disturbances.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sandor Csosz, Ferenc Bathori, Zoltan Radai, Gabor Herczeg, Brian L. Fisher
Summary: Unprecedented technological advances in digitization and open-access digital repositories have enabled quick and efficient measurement of morphological traits without the need for transportation and expensive microscope machinery. The AntWeb.org database provides a platform for researchers worldwide to study ant specimens for taxonomic, ecological, or evolutionary purposes. However, the reproducibility and reliability of measurements obtained from AntWeb compared to traditional microscope measurements have not yet been examined.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Orsolya Valko, Adam Bede, Zoltan Radai, Balazs Deak
Summary: Place names are an important part of cultural diversity, but little is known about how the diversity of toponyms affects human-nature relationships and decision-making regarding land use. To address this, a multidisciplinary survey was conducted in Hungary, examining ancient burial mounds and their associated toponyms. The study found that a higher number of toponyms was associated with a higher degree of naturalness of the vegetation on the landscape features.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Balazs Deak, Adam Bede, Zoltan Radai, Iwona Dembicz, Iva Apostolova, Peter Batary, Robert Galle, Csaba Albert Toth, Jozsef Dozsai, Ivan I. Moysiyenko, Barbara Sudnik-Wojcikowska, Maria Zachwatowicz, Georgi Nekhrizov, Fedor N. Lisetskii, Zhanna A. Buryak, Szabolcs Kis, Sandor Borza, Laura Godo, Tatyana M. Bragina, Ilya Smelansky, Abel Molnar, Miklos Ban, Ferenc Bathori, Zoltan Argay, Janos Dani, Reka Kiss, Orsolya Valko
Summary: Ancient civilizations have shaped global ecosystems through the coevolution of landscapes and humans. However, the cultural legacies of these civilizations are often overlooked in the conservation of the Eurasian steppe biome. This study investigated how ancient burial mounds can contribute to grassland conservation in the Eurasian steppes. The results showed that these burial mounds played a significant role in preserving grasslands, particularly in transformed landscapes outside protected areas. The study suggests that considering cultural values in conservation efforts can lead to positive synergistic effects. Rating: 8/10.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Godo, Sandor Borza, Orsolya Valko, Zoltan Radai, Balazs Deak
Summary: Seed dispersal is crucial for the survival of plant populations, and zoochory is a widely observed method that enables long-distance dispersal through animals. Secondary seed dispersal by far-ranging raptors, such as barn owls, plays a role in colonizing new habitats. In this study, we found that barn owls primarily dispersed seeds through herbivorous Microtus arvalis, indicating the importance of habitats with abundant small mammals. Furthermore, the remains of prey enhanced seedling establishment, suggesting the potential of barn owl-mediated seed dispersal to increase dispersal distance and seed exchange between habitat types.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Csaba Tolgyesi, Alida Anna Habenczyus, Andras Kelemen, Peter Torok, Orsolya Valko, Balazs Deak, Laszlo Erdos, Benedek Toth, Nandor Csikos, Zoltan Batori
Summary: Tree planting is a widely used nature-based solution for mitigating climate change. However, it can have adverse effects in naturally open biomes, such as water shortage due to increased evapotranspiration. This study assessed how soil texture affects the trade-off between tree cover and water balance in the forest-steppe biome.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)